Ryan PerryDUNEDIN, Fla. -- It was widely assumed that Ryan Perry had earned one of seven bullpen spots, and Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland confirmed it today. The hard-throwing, right-handed reliever has been dominant.

Perry had one bad outing, giving up five earned runs and three homers to the New York Mets in a short appearance on March 13. He’s had a 0.93 ERA in his other nine games and leads the club in Grapefruit League appearances with 10.

Perhaps most impressive are his one walk and 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings. Perry, 23, had control problems last season as a Tigers rookie (38 walks and 60 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings) and needed work on his off-speed pitches.

“He had the best changeup that I’d ever seen and is making fewer mistakes with his slider,” Leyland said of Perry. “He’s on the team, and we’re down to one guy. So, the wait is almost over.”

Closer Jose Valverde, left-hander Phil Coke and Perry are the only relievers Leyland has stated as sure things. Though, he’s strongly hinted that Joel Zumaya is on the club and it’s assumed southpaw Fu-Te Ni is, too.

That leaves two spots. Long reliever Eddie Bonine, who fits nicely into that role with Zach Miner (elbow) on the disabled list, and lefty Brad Thomas are the most likely choices. Though, adding the odd-man-out in the rotation competition could claim one of their spots. Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis remain in the running for two starting spots.

Willis faces the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday in Sarasota, while Bonderman pitches in Lakeland for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Leyland said he set it up that way because Willis traveled to Viera to face the Washington Nationals on Thursday, when Bonderman pitched in Lakeland against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Leyland said the final roster moves, save one coming on Wednesday or Thursday, will be made Tuesday. The only non-pitching decisions are between backup catchers Alex Avila or Robinzon Diaz and the final roster spot going to Don Kelly, Jeff Larish or Clete Thomas.